The Corporation Council, on Wednesday, witnessed heated exchange of words between ruling and opposition councillors after the former alleged that the lackadaisical attitude of the State government on the Vilappilsala solid-waste treatment plant issue was worsening the garbage crisis in the city.
The issue was raised during discussion on a resolution moved by Mayor K. Chandrika requesting the State government's support to reopen the plant in the light of the Supreme Court directive rejecting the Vilappil panchayat's plea against the plant.
Palayam councillor and Welfare standing committee chairman Palayam Rajan said the government should have been more proactive and quick in responding to Tuesday's Supreme Court ruling favouring the Corporation.
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Punchakkary councillor A.J. Sukarno said the State government which was incapable of implementing the apex court directive did not have the right to stay in power. However, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Palkulangara councillor P. Ashok Kumar's comment that the government's inaction was a matter of shame led to vociferous protests by opposition councillors.
Defending the government's stand, Ambalathara councillor Mujeeb Rehman said the State government had responded quickly to the Supreme Court directive as Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi Ali had convened a meeting of the Corporation and panchayat officials to discuss the matter within hours of the court pronouncement.
Mr. Ashok Kumar's objection to this statement led to heated arguments between him and Mr. Rehman.
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Finally, Ms. Chandrika put an end to the row by saying that the since the resolution had been unanimously passed by the councillors, no further discussion was required on the issue.